'A' Badge (BGA)
 

One successful solo flight in a glider (or motor glider in unpowered flight after the launch) followed by a satisfactory landing.

Must be over 16 years of age.

Minimum of 20 flights (may be waived if PPL or CPL held)

Show reasonable knowledge of the rules of the air.

'B' Badge (BGA)
 

Show knowledge of rules of the air, including rules appertaining to airspace.

Bronze 'C' Badge
(BGA)

 

A minimum of 50 solo flights or 20 solo flights and 10 solo hours.

Two soaring flights, each of 30 minutes duration if launched by winch, car or bungee; or 60 minutes each after release if from an aerotow at a height not exceeding 2,000 feet.

A minimum of three check flights in a dual-controlled glider with a Full Rated Instructor who will satisfy him/herself that the candidate is proficient in the following:

1. Well co-ordinated and accurate general flying, especially keeping a good lookout.

2. Understanding and recognition of the symptoms of the stall, stall with a wing drop and full spin, followed by the correct recovery.

3. Two field landings into a field, or if a suitable field is not available adjacent to the club site, into a marked areas of the airfield; the altimeter should be covered or the millibar scale offset for this practice. If a marked area of the airfield is used it must be so chosen that there is little or no undershoot and that the circuit and approach does not coincide with the normal circuit and approach to the airfield. Where a suitable two-seater is not available, the field landings may be flown solo.

Pass multiple choice Air Law and General papers (on airmanship, meteorology, principles of flight, radio telephony and navigation).

The flying and ground tests must be completed within the 12 months prior to the application.

UK Cross Country Endorsement
(BGA)

Must have Bronze Badge and the approval of the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI).

Soaring: Two soaring flights one of at least an hour duration and one of at least two hours duration after release under the supervision and certification of a BGA instructor or Official Observer.
 

Field Selection: One field selection flight. Must show ability to select and reject fields for their suitability for landing followed by two successful approaches into fields. This exercise must be undertaken from the air, but can be flown in a glider and motor glider.

Field Landings: A minimum of two successful approaches into fields, selected by student in a motor glider, with the altimeter covered or the millibar scale offset. The landings/approaches must be flown without any assistance or prompting from the instructor and must show adequate judgement and skill.

Navigation: Plan a triangular task of at least 100Km giving due consideration to any airspace requirements and aspects of airmanship. Demonstrate the ability to understand an aeronautical chart, correlating features on the map as they appear from the air, and orientation of the map with respect to ground features. Can be flown in a glider, motor glider or light aircraft.

All of the above must be completed within 12 months of the second soaring flight.

Glider Pilot's License

 

Silver 'C' Badge
(FAI)

 

Three parts:

Duration: A flight of 5 hours or more.

Distance: A flight of 50km (31 miles) made either in a straight line, or to a predetermined remote finish point, or from a pre-declared remote start point, or from a remote start point to a remote finish point, both pre-declared. The difference in height between release and landing must be less than 1% of the distance covered. The height of a remote finish point is taken into account by assuming that a landing would be made there.

Height: A height gain of at least 1,000m (3,281ft).

100km Diploma
(BGA or FAI)

Two parts:

Completion of a pre-declared 100km closed circuit flight, set either as a triangle or an out-and-return.

Completion of a similar flight but at a handicapped speed of 60km/h.

Gold 'C' Badge
(FAI)

 

Duration: A duration flight of not less than 5 hours.

Distance: A distance flight of not less than 300Km (186miles) in which up to three turning points are used. Turning points must be pre-declared but may be rounded in any sequence: however each turning point may not be rounded more than once.

Height: A height gain of at least 3,000m (9,843ft).

Diamond Badges
(FAI)

 

Goal: A goal flight of at least 300Km (186miles) in which the turning points must be pre-declared and rounded in the designated sequence.

Distance: A distance flight of at least 500Km (311miles) - requirements as for Gold distance.

Height: A height gain of at least 5,000m (16,405ft).

Note: Diamonds achieved may only be worn on a silver or gold badge.

Standard Badge (BGA)
 

The 'Standard Badge' shows a basic level of proficiency in glider aerobatics. Once achieved you will be able to fly the following manoeuvres:

     • 45 degree diving line

     • 45 degree climbing line

     • Loop

     • Wingover (Chandelle)

     • 360 errect turn

     • One turn positive G spin

     • Climbing turn

Notes: May be witnessed by any BGA Aerobatic Instructor or by a Full Category Instructor authorised for this purpose by the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI).

Sports Badge (BGA)
 

Intermediate Badge
(BGA)

 

Unlimited Badge
(BGA)

     • 360 degree rolling turn

     • Positive and negative flick rolls

     • Tailslides

     • Inverted spins

Notes: Must be witnessed and scored by a minimum of three British Aerobatics Association (BAeA) judges or three internationally recognised aerobatic judges. Must be scored in accordance with the "BAeA Criteria for Judging Aerobatic Figures".